Telangana to allow toddy tapping, new stalls on Tank Bund

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has decided to reopen toddy shops in the state, a week after it lifted the ban on the sale of liquor.

The Telangana prohibition and excise department issued a circular on 13 May regulating the supply and sale of toddy in the state. Meanwhile, excise minister V. Srinivas Goud asked toddy tappers and tipplers to follow the lockdown safety guidelines while tapping toddy and urged people to consume neera while keeping in view its health benefits. He has also instructed the police to not trouble or harass the tappers or drinkers.

The decision was taken keeping in view the guidelines issued by the Central and state governments, the Excise department officials said. According to the guidelines, toddy tapping will be permitted in all districts except the containment zones. Tappers shall maintain physical distance and hygiene as prescribed in the COVID-19 guidelines. However, the toddy compound will remain closed till further orders.

Meanwhile, the minister said that toddy stalls will be set up at Tank Bund. Due to the lockdown, as many as 40 lakh tappers, their families, and those dependent on this trade are suffering. He assured assistance to all of them.

Toddy tapping and sale had been prohibited in the state when the nationwide lockdown came into force.